How to Count Stitches and Rows

It can sometimes be quite confusing when you have to count stitches or rows in a pattern. Trying to tell the difference between purl and knit stitches can leave you wanting to throw your work to the side out of frustration!

Source via lionbrand.com. This picture shows the loops on the needle which you count to determine how many stitches you have cast on. You can see there are 10 stitches on the needle. The is a garter style pattern

Row - A row is made up of all kinds of stitches. It is the horizonatal line that you knit across.

Source via lionbrand.com. This picture shows the V stitches and is a good representation of how to count rows. You can see from this picture there are 8 highlighted V rows. This is a stockinette pattern.

How do I count stitches?

To count the number of stitches that you've cast on in a row, you should first spread out your work on your needle. Each loop that you see on the needle is one stitch.

How do I count stitches further down in my work?

We often need to count stitches further down in our work to see if we still have the same amount that we cast on with, or else it can lead to our pattern losing its shape.
To count these stitches, work horizontally, counting each V(knit) or bump(purl) shape across that row.

How do I count rows?

When you need to count rows, this is done by counting the V or bumps vertically.